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As a single man I was able to indulge my near certifiable passion for skiing and snowboarding by working as a chalet chef, host, guide, Ski Club leader and ski company owner. After marrying Heather, a Californian ski instructor, I was delighted to find my winter schedule was not too drastically altered. Until last season, when I was forced to admit that I now had not one, but two children (Jasper, six, and Paloma, two), and was going to have to embark on my most challenging mountain mission yet – a family ski holiday.

Not wanting to waste time pursuing the wrong type of holiday for several years, I decided we should try three different trips over the course of two seasons to determine the best options for our future as a snowsports-mad family.

To kick things off, we opted for an independent trip. We’d stay in a self-catered apartment and Heather and I would deal with all the details.

Our first decision was selecting a destination. After a bit of research we settled on the family friendly resort ofLa Rosière in France, set high above Bourg St Maurice and with spectacular views towards Val d’Isère and Les Arcs. The resort is incredibly easy to navigate and the ski area, linked to La Thuile in Italy, has an ideal combination of beginner and intermediate slopes for children.

Finding cheap flights to Geneva while avoiding gruesome early morning departures proved easy, as we flew from Southampton, a provincial airport where check-in is often so empty you worry you may have come on the wrong day.

La Rosière's slopes are easy to navigate

Wanting to be as flexible as possible, we decided to rent a car in Geneva airport, booking it on the French side to save a few euros. After eventually tracking down the rental office, I was handed the keys to our car – an eccentric automatic Citroen with an infuriating French-speaking satnav. The vehicle was barely big enough to hold us, and by the time I found my way back to the Swiss side my family had miraculously managed to misplace my backpack, containing virtually everything of any value in my life. Rarely has independence looked so grim.

A volcanic family meltdown was narrowly avoided by the return of the backpack and everyone’s moods picked up considerably as we arrived at our charming three-bedroom apartment in Peak Retreats’ Le Refuge residence.

A specialist independent operator, Peak Retreats helps you “ski as the French do” by staying in small villages connected to larger, more expensive resorts. Not only did we each have our own bedroom and bathroom, but also use of an indoor pool and sauna.

We woke to spectacular blue skies over the Espace San Bernardo ski area on our first day, plus the delivery of fresh croissants, pains au chocolat and baguettes, pre-ordered at reception the previous night. We’d arranged child care through SnowLittle, which provides qualified nannies throughout the Tarentaise region. The arrival of Alix, a charming, professional nanny, put our minds at rest that Paloma would be very well cared for.

Meanwhile, Jasper was signed up for lessons with Evolution 2 ski school, and with the help of keen and caring instructor Sebastian, was able to advance at a spectacular clip.

We were soon in an efficient if somewhat exhausting rhythm, enjoying simple breakfasts, lunches on the mountain and cooking for ourselves at night. The process felt natural and bonding, a family of lone wolves adventuring together in the mountains. It also inspired us to be more culturally active, going out for fondue and mixing with locals when we might otherwise have stayed in.

Although there were clearly benefits to looking after ourselves, beyond just the financial, these were balanced with the stress of being in charge of everything. As if to prove the point, our satnav got us lost in a medieval village on the way back to Geneva in a torrential downpour, leaving us racing like lunatics for our flight.

Not surprisingly, for our next trip I decided to fire myself as travel agent and leave the heavy lifting to the pros.

For this, we put our trust in family specialist Esprit Ski, which offers good-value holidays in 13 major resorts, plus a host of child care options. We chose its most recent addition – Chalet Hotel Valverde in Gressoney, in Italy’s Monterosa region – partly because of its location right next to a ski lift, but also because, for selfish reasons, Gressoney is linked to Alagna, an unspoilt off-piste mecca.

After a smooth charter flight to Turin, our transfer bus was soon winding up into majestic mountains towards Gressoney. While Chalet Valverde may not be the Ritz, it’s perfectly comfortable and the nanny service on every corridor each night (included in the price) makes it far more relaxing than any five-star hotel. This is not a place where children need to be seen and not heard, and a combination of well organised lessons, entertaining child care and an early dinner together each night quickly built friendships, leaving the grown-ups with plenty of guilt-free time to ski together and socialise during the adults-only dinners.

The staff’s cheerful attitude soon had Paloma hurrying to the on-site nursery and Jasper finding new friends to race, while Heather and I hit the slopes at full speed.

Having stayed on our own and then in a large chalet hotel, we were excited to try a third approach, teaming up with some close friends from Jasper’s school for a week in one of VIP Ski’s upmarket, fully catered chalets in La Plagne, France.

VIP Ski prides itself on offering luxurious holidays with a family ethos and our chalet apartment, Como (sleeping up t0 10), certainly lived up to expectations with its stylish décor, cheery log fire, beautiful views and champagne reception on arrival.

Part of the attraction of Como was its superb location, a mere snowball’s drop to the piste and ski school below, saving everyone time and hassle. The staff were equally impressive, producing restaurant quality meals with professional care, courtesy and friendliness. Unlike the chalet hotel option, the small, catered chalet also allowed some flexibility to pick and choose menus and mealtimes.

With its Sixties’ apartment blocks, La Plagne may not be the most attractive French resort, but it’s ideal for families, with a multitude of mixed terrain from long beginner runs to exciting off-piste itineraries, where local guides can find you untracked powder for days. And the double-decker Vanoise Express cable car, which connects to the resort of Les Arcs across the valley, creates an enormous ski area.

Simon's son Jasper throws himself into Oxygène ski school lessons

Jasper’s ski school was Oxygène and he enjoyed it even more with the camaraderie of his school friends boosting his confidence every day. Soon our entire group was involved in day trips to Les Arcs, races on the Olympic bobsleigh track and a wild, hysterical toboggan ride, which ended in a snow-encrusted heap right outside our chalet. And Paloma wasn’t missing out on the fun either, being ably entertained by one of VIP’s experienced nannies.

After our two-season experiment, Heather and I agreed that, while we enjoyed the freedom and excitement of an independent trip, and the relaxing convenience of Esprit’s jolly set-up, if we had the money then we’d opt for renting a fabulous fully catered chalet just for friends and family right on the slopes. So it looks like I’ll have to start making some financial sacrifices, starting with my daily cappuccino.

Seven nights’ chalet board in the chalet-hotel Valverde in Gressoney with Esprit Ski (espritski.com) costs a total of £2,995 (based on a family of four – two adults and two children under 12). Price includes flights and transfers, plus free ski, boot and helmet rental for children. Six full days of nursery costs £315 per child. Six mornings of children’s lessons as part of Esprit’s Sprite programme (for children aged five to 12) costs £215.

Seven nights’ chalet board in the Summit View development (Como Suite) with VIP Ski (vip-chalets.com) costs £1,339 per adult, £699 per child. Price includes flights and transfers. A week’s private child care (any eight hours between 8am and 8pm each day) with VIP costs £625 for one child, £675 for two. Six mornings of children’s lessons with Oxgène (oxygene-ski.com) costs €218.